Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Identification and distribution of Acanthamoeba species genotypes associated with keratitis infections in Taiwan watersheds

2^nd International Conference on Parasitology

August 01-03, 2016 Manchester, UK

Bing-Mu Hsu

National Chung Cheng University, Taiwan

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Bacteriol Parasitol

Abstract:

Acanthamoeba is one kind of free-living amoebae (FLA) which is ubiquitous in various aquatic environments. Several Acanthamoeba species are pathogenic and host to other pathogens such as Legionella, but the presence of Acanthamoeba and its parasites as well as the related infection risk are not well known. In this study, the surveillance and evaluation of the infection risk of Acanthamoeba in different aquatic environments was investigated. Water samples were collected from a river, intake areas of drinking water treatment plants and recreational hot spring complexes in Taiwan. A total of 140 water samples were tested for the presence of Acanthamoeba spp. In addition, phylogenetic characteristics and water quality parameters were also assessed. The pathogenic genotypes of Acanthamoeba T4 were abundant in the hot spring water. Taken together, Acanthamoeba contamination in recreational hot springs and drinking water source warrants more attention on potential legionellosis and amoebae infections.

Biography :

Bing-Mu Hsu has received his PhD degree in Environmental Engineering from National Chiao Tung University. He is the Faculty of National Chung Cheng University in the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. He has published more than 65 original papers in SCI journals. His current research interests include environmental microbiology, environmental biotechnology, environmental pathogen analysis, environmental sampling technique and environmental risk assessment.

Email: bmhsu168@gmail.com